Console for vehicle interior
A component for vehicle interior is disclosed. The component comprises a base, a bin and a cover. The cover is configured to move relative to the base from a closed position to cover the bin to an intermediate position to partially uncover the bin to an open position to uncover the bin. A button is coupled to the cover. The component comprises a link coupled to the cover and a latch. The link is configured to secure the cover to the base and/or release cover from the base at the closed position, the intermediate position and the open position. The latch comprises two arms. The link is configured to translate downward movement of the button into lateral movement of the two arms between an extended position and a retracted position. The two arms engage with the base to secure the cover to the base when the two arms are at the extended position. The two arms disengage with the base to release the cover from the base when the two arms are at the retracted position. Each of the two arms is coupled to at least one spring to move the one of the arms to the extended position.
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The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US15/15672 titled “LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE COMPARTMENT DOOR” filed Feb. 12, 2015.
The present application claims priority from and the benefit of and incorporates by reference in entirety of the following applications: (a) International Application No. PCT/US15/15672 titled “LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE COMPARTMENT DOOR” filed Feb. 12, 2015; (b) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/939,133 titled “LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE COMPARTMENT DOOR” filed Feb. 12, 2014.
FIELDThe present invention relates to a console for vehicle interior. The present invention also relates to a vehicle interior component comprising a latch mechanism or assembly.
BACKGROUNDIt is known to provide a console for a vehicle interior. It is also known to provide one or more storage compartments within the console for the vehicle interior to store cargo and/or various items. It is also known to provide a storage compartment within an overhead console, an armrest, seats, door panels, and/or an instrument panel, etc. It is also known to provide a door configured to facilitate access of the storage compartment. It is further known to provide a latch mechanism (e.g. latch assembly) to secure the door in an open position and/or a closed position and/or any position between the open position and the closed position.
It would be advantageous to provide a vehicle interior component comprising an improved latch mechanism (e.g. latch assembly) that is simple/easy to operate and/or cost-effective/inexpensive to manufacture and/or assemble.
SUMMARYThe present invention relates to a component for a vehicle interior. The component comprises a base, a bin, a cover configured to move relative to the base from a closed position to cover the bin to an intermediate position to at least partially uncover the bin to an open position to uncover the bin and a button coupled to the cover. The cover is released from the base in response to actuation of the button. The component may also comprise a link coupled to the cover; the link is configured to release the cover from the base in response to actuation of the button when the cover is in the closed position, the intermediate position and the open position. The link may be configured to secure the cover to the base in the closed position, the intermediate position and the open position. The component may also comprise a latch; the latch may comprise a first arm configured to translate in response to actuation of the button and a second arm configured to translate in response to actuation of the button; translation of the first arm and the second arm releases the cover from the base. The button moves in a downward direction when actuated; the latch comprises a link configured to substantially convert the downward movement of the button into movement of the first side arm substantially perpendicular to the downward direction of the button movement. The latch may comprise a link configured to substantially link movement of the second arm and the first arm; the first arm and the second arm may be configured to move from an extended position to a retracted position to disengage the cover from the base. The latch may comprise at least one spring configured to move the first arm and the second arm from the retracted position to the extended position to secure the cover to the base; the first arm may comprise a first pin and the second arm may comprise a second pin; the first pin and the second pin may be configured to engage recesses in the base to secure the cover to the base. The button may be configured to move in a direction perpendicular to a direction of movement of the cover relative to the base.
The present invention also relates to a component for a vehicle interior. The component comprises a base, a bin, a cover configured to move relative to the base from a closed position to cover the bin to an open position to uncover the bin and a link configured to move relative to the cover from an uncompressed position to a compressed position. The cover may be released from the base in response to movement of the link from the uncompressed position to the compressed position; the link may be configured to secure the cover to the base when the link is in the uncompressed position. The cover may comprise a first pin and a second pin; the first pin and the second pin may be configured to engage holes in the base to secure the cover to the base. The link may be configured to move the first pin and the second pin from an extended position to a retracted position to disengage the cover from the base; the cover may comprise a spring; the spring may be configured to bias the link in the uncompressed position. The spring may be compressed in response to compression of the link; the link may be configured to compress in a direction perpendicular to a direction of movement of the cover relative to the base.
The present invention further relates to a component for a vehicle interior. The component comprises a base comprising a first track and a second track, a bin, a cover configured to move along the first track and the second track relative to the base from a closed position to cover the bin to an intermediate position to at least partially uncover the bin to an open position to uncover the bin and a latch coupled to the cover comprising a first pin and a second pin. The first track and the second track may comprise holes configured to receive the first pin and the second pin to selectively block movement of the cover when the cover is in the closed position, the intermediate position and the open position. The first pin may be configured to push against one of the first track and the second track; the second pin may be configured to push against the other of the first track and the second track; the first pin and the second pin may be configured to be extracted from the holes to allow movement of the cover relative to the base.
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According to an exemplary embodiment, when button 52 is depressed, scissor link 70L and scissor link 70R are extended outward in the lateral direction. Upper engagement rod 83L and upper engagement rod 79R are attached to holes 126; upper engagement rod 83L and upper engagement rod 79R move generally in the vertical direction. According to an exemplary embodiment, scissor link 70L and scissor link 70R facilitate movement of left side arm 64 and right side arm 62 from the extended position to the retracted position; scissor link 70L and scissor link 70R are configured to translate downward movement of button 52 into lateral movement of left side arm 64 and right side arm 62. According to an exemplary embodiment, when scissor link 70L is compressed vertically, right side arm 62 is moved from the extended position to the retracted position; spring 68 is compressed between right side arm 62 and lower housing 60; when scissor link 70R is compressed vertically, left side arm 64 is moved from the extended position to the retracted position; spring 66 is compressed between left side arm 62 and lower housing 60.
According to an exemplary embodiment, when one of the side arms (e.g. left side arm 64 or right side arm 62) is moved to the retracted position, the other side arm (e.g. left side arm 64 or right side arm 62) is moved to the retracted position. According to an exemplary embodiment, when left side arm 64 is moved to the retracted position, spring 66 is compressed between left side arm 64 and lower housing 60; right scissor link 70R is compressed in the vertical direction; upper engagement rod 83R slides along right slot 94 on button 52; upper engagement rod 79R moves downward in the vertical direction and pulls button 52 downward into the depressed position; button 52 compresses left scissor link 70L downward in the vertical direction; scissor link 70L extends outward in the lateral direction; scissor link 70L moves right side arm 62 from the extended position to the retracted position; spring 68 is compressed between right side arm 62 and lower housing 60.
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According to an exemplary embodiment, a compartment may include a number of methods of securing the covers and/or doors to the compartment in a desired position; the compartments may suffer from accidental unlatching during use. According to an exemplary embodiment, when an occupant of the vehicle 10 rests an arm or an elbow on the center console 16, the center console compartment may accidentally open. According to an exemplary embodiment, the door may include a latching mechanism that forms a bump above the surface of the door. According to an exemplary embodiment, a latch assembly may increase aesthetic appeal and mechanical functionality through a low-profile mechanical apparatus.
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According to an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle occupant may close tambour door 22 by grasping latch assembly 24 or handle to move tambour door 22 toward the closed position. As the vehicle occupant pulls tambour door 22, side pins of latch assembly 24 may engage securing holes 46 (e.g. recesses) positioned along tracks 40. Each securing hole 46 in one track 40 has a corresponding securing hole on the opposite track 40 (e.g. the securing holes are aligned) so that the side pins on tambour door 22 may both enter the opposing securing holes 46 at the same time. According to an exemplary embodiment, the side pins of the latch assembly 24 move in and out together; the pins remain secured in the securing holes 46 until both pins are extracted (which reduces wear on the latch assembly 24 and reduces the possibility of accidentally unlatching and opening tambour door 22). When tambour door 22 is in the closed position, the exterior surface of tambour door 22 may provide a suitable surface for writing, storing small items and/or to be used as an armrest.
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According to an exemplary embodiment, tambour door 22 includes multiple substantially parallel ribs 48 coupled to a substrate 50; ribs 48 are configured to engage tracks 40 of center console 16 to support tambour door 22 and to facilitate movement of tambour door 22 between the closed position and the open position. Ribs 48 are coupled to the interior surface of substrate 50 to form a unitary structure. According to an exemplary embodiment, tambour door 22 may flex in a direction perpendicular to the orientation of the substantially parallel ribs 48 to enable tambour door 22 to match the contours of a curved storage compartment opening.
According to an exemplary embodiment, tambour door 22 includes a latch assembly 24 configured to selectively block movement of the door 22 at a desired position (e.g. the open position, the closed position, partly closed positions, etc.). As shown schematically in
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As the button 52 is depressed, upper engagement rod 79 of link arm 72 and upper engagement rod 83 of link arm 74 engage with button 52 to put link arm 72 and link arm 74 to transition toward the recumbent position (i.e. the angle with respect to the lower housing 60 is reduced). The movement of link arm 72 relative to lower housing 60 increases the distance D1 between the first engagement rod 78 and the axis 76 to drive left side arm 64 to the right which pulls the side pin 54 on left side arm 64 out of the respective recess; the second engagement rod 82 drives the second engagement surface 84 and the right side arm 62 to the left and pulls the side pin 54 on right side arm 62 out of the respective recess. As shown schematically in
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According to an exemplary embodiment, two scissor links 70 shown in
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While only certain features and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g. variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g. temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or resequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described (i.e. those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed invention). It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the inventive concepts and inventions as described in this application and as shown in the figures above is illustrative only. Although some embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.
It is important to note that the apparatus of the present inventions can comprise conventional technology (e.g. as implemented in present configuration) or any other applicable technology (present or future) that has the capability to perform the functions and processes/operations indicated in the FIGURES. All such technology is considered to be within the scope of the present inventions and application.
Claims
1. A component for a vehicle interior comprising: wherein the cover is released from the base in response to actuation of the button.
- (a) a base;
- (b) a bin;
- (c) a cover configured to move relative to the base (1) from a closed position to cover the bin (2) to an intermediate position to at least partially uncover the bin (3) to an open position to uncover the bin; and
- (d) a button coupled to the cover;
2. The component of claim 1 further comprising a link coupled to the cover wherein the link is configured to release the cover from the base in response to actuation of the button when the cover is in the closed position, the intermediate position and the open position.
3. The component of claim 2 wherein the link is configured to secure the cover to the base in the closed position, the intermediate position and the open position.
4. The component of claim 1 further comprising a latch wherein the latch comprises a first arm configured to translate in response to actuation of the button and a second arm configured to translate in response to actuation of the button; wherein translation of the first arm and the second arm releases the cover from the base.
5. The component of claim 4 wherein the button moves in a downward direction when actuated and wherein the latch comprises a link configured to substantially convert the downward movement of the button into movement of the first side arm substantially perpendicular to the downward direction of the button movement.
6. The component of claim 4 wherein the latch comprises a link configured to substantially link movement of the second arm and the first arm.
7. The component of claim 4 wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured to move from an extended position to a retracted position to disengage the cover from the base.
8. The component of claim 7 wherein the latch comprises at least one spring configured to move the first arm and the second arm from the retracted position to the extended position to secure the cover to the base.
9. The component of claim 4 wherein the first arm comprises a first pin and the second arm comprises a second pin and wherein the first pin and the second pin are configured to engage recesses in the base to secure the cover to the base.
10. The component of claim 1 wherein the button is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to a direction of movement of the cover relative to the base.
11. The component of claim 1 further comprising a link configured to move relative to the cover from an uncompressed position to a compressed position; wherein the cover is released from the base in response to movement of the link from the uncompressed position to the compressed position.
12. The component of claim 11 wherein the link is configured to secure the cover to the base when the link is in the uncompressed position.
13. The component of claim 11 wherein the cover comprises a first pin and a second pin and wherein the first pin and the second pin are configured to engage holes in the base to secure the cover to the base.
14. The component of claim 13 wherein the link is configured to move the first pin and the second pin from an extended position to a retracted position to disengage the cover from the base.
15. The component of claim 11 wherein the cover comprises a spring; wherein the spring is configured to bias the link in the uncompressed position.
16. The component of claim 15 wherein the spring is compressed in response to compression of the link.
17. The component of claim 11 wherein the link is configured compress in a direction perpendicular to a direction of movement of the cover relative to the base.
18. The component of claim 1 further comprising a latch comprising a first pin and a second pin; wherein the base comprises a first track and a second track; wherein the first track and the second track comprise holes configured to receive the first pin and the second pin to selectively block movement of the cover when the cover is in the closed position, the intermediate position and the open position.
19. The component of claim 18 wherein the first pin is configured to push against one of the first track and the second track and wherein the second pin is configured to push against the other of the first track and the second track.
20. The component of claim 18 wherein the first pin and the second pin are configured to be withdrawn from a corresponding hole of the holes to allow movement of the cover relative to the base.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Aug 5, 2016
Date of Patent: Aug 21, 2018
Patent Publication Number: 20160339848
Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd. (Novi, MI)
Inventors: Thomas Scott Hodgson (Holland, MI), Nicholas T Moelker (Allendale, MI)
Primary Examiner: Kiran B Patel
Application Number: 15/229,402
International Classification: B60R 13/00 (20060101); B60R 7/06 (20060101); E05B 65/08 (20060101); E05B 83/30 (20140101); E05B 83/32 (20140101); E05C 9/04 (20060101); E05B 1/00 (20060101); B60R 11/00 (20060101); E05B 77/36 (20140101); E05C 17/60 (20060101); E05B 17/00 (20060101);